Difference between revisions of "Alienable vs. Inalienable Distinction in Nominals"
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Instead of using a possessive pronoun as above, SG uses a locative construction (with ''aig'', 'at') to express ownership of an alienable object. | Instead of using a possessive pronoun as above, SG uses a locative construction (with ''aig'', 'at') to express ownership of an alienable object. | ||
+ | |||
Definite Article + Possessee + ''aig'' + Possessor | Definite Article + Possessee + ''aig'' + Possessor | ||
+ | |||
+ | {| | ||
+ | |an | ||
+ | |gille | ||
+ | |aig | ||
+ | |Mairi | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |the | ||
+ | |boy | ||
+ | |at | ||
+ | |Mary | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |colspan="7"|'Mary's boyfriend' | ||
+ | |} |
Latest revision as of 08:57, 10 October 2012
SG marks a distinction between possession of something thought of as close to a person, and in a way inalienable. Examples of inalienable entities are body parts, relatives, and pets. Alienable objects on the other hand, include most all everyday objects.
Inalienable Possession
Inalienable possession is marked my a possessive pronoun which precedes the possessee, and he pronoun differs depending on the onset of the following word.
Inalienable pronouns before a Consonant:
Person/Gender | Singular | Plural |
1 | 'moL' | 'ar' |
2 | 'doL' | 'ur' |
3M | 'aL' | 'an/am' |
3F | 'a' | 'an/am' |
Inalienable pronouns before a Vowel:
Person/Gender | Singular | Plural |
1 | 'm | 'ar n-' |
2 | 'd | 'ur n-' |
3M | 'a' | 'an' |
3F | 'a h-' | 'an' |
Alienable Possession
Instead of using a possessive pronoun as above, SG uses a locative construction (with aig, 'at') to express ownership of an alienable object.
Definite Article + Possessee + aig + Possessor
an | gille | aig | Mairi | |||
the | boy | at | Mary | |||
'Mary's boyfriend' |